An online petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has gained significant traction, with over 120,000 Canadians signing it as of mid-August 2026. The petition, launched on July 21, 2026, by Calgary resident Leanne Walker, accuses Ambassador Hoekstra of undermining bilateral relations and interfering in Canadian political discourse.
The petition is slated to be presented in the Canadian House of Commons in the fall. Green Party Member of Parliament Elizabeth May is sponsoring the initiative, which formally requests the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata, effectively demanding his removal from Canada.
A primary grievance cited in the petition is Ambassador Hoekstra’s alleged normalization of U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada, referring to such suggestions as a “term of endearment.” Hoekstra has also been criticized for characterizing the 2025 Canadian federal election as an “anti-American” campaign and for making “repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse inconsistent with diplomatic protocol.”
International trade expert Barry Appleton described the petition as a “temperature check,” indicating the level of public anger among Canadians towards U.S. actions and rhetoric. While the petition has no legal standing to force an ambassador’s removal, Appleton noted its unprecedented nature in showcasing widespread Canadian discontent.
The petition further alleges that Hoekstra has made statements that damage the Canada-U.S. diplomatic relationship and has drawn criticism for remarks made during his tenure. This includes his reported profanity-laced tirade against an Ontario official over an advertisement critical of U.S. tariffs, which had previously led to the suspension of trade negotiations.
Hoekstra, who arrived in Ottawa in April 2025, has been a vocal defender of President Trump. His tenure has been marked by controversy, including accusations of interfering in Canadian politics and normalizing aggressive rhetoric from the U.S. administration. The petition also raises questions about alleged links between Hoekstra and a voter-identification app used by separatist groups in Alberta.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a host country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, a serious measure that requires the sending country to recall the individual. However, such a declaration is typically reserved for extreme circumstances, and the decision to recall an ambassador ultimately rests with the ambassador’s home country.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Canada will not expel Ambassador Hoekstra, emphasizing the need to maintain relations with the U.S. administration due to the significant trade and security partnership between the two nations. Despite the prime minister’s stance, the petition’s substantial number of signatures highlights a significant segment of the Canadian population’s dissatisfaction with the current diplomatic climate.
The petition will remain open for signatures until November 18, 2026. Once closed, it will be presented to the government, which will be required to provide an official written response within 45 days.
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